With over
11 million inhabitants, Kolkata (formerly known as Calcutta) is one of
the biggest cities in Asia. It lies in the state of West Bengal, in the
east of India.

In
1971, a Master Plan was designed which included 5 rapid transit lines,
of which the north-south route was considered the most important one.
Construction (mainly cut-and-cover) began in 1973 and the first section
opened for public service in 1984 between Esplanade - Bhowanipur
(3.4 km). This was the first subway line in India. In 1995, the Kolkata
Metro Railway reached a total length of 16.5 km and remained
unchanged for the next 14 years. Along the route there were 17 stations
(15 underground, 1 elevated and 1 on surface), with 160 m long platforms
designed for 8-car-trains. Power supply is via third rail at 750 V dc.
Eventually in 2009, the first 5.9 km section of a long-planned elevated
southern extension was brought into service from the former southern terminus
Tollygunge, now renamed Mahanayak Uttam Kumar, to Nazrul
(planned as Garia Bazar).

A
northern Line 1 extension is further under construction
to Dakshineshwar with one intermediate station (4.3 km).

Construction
of Line 2 started in 2009. It will run from Salt Lake (Bidhannagar)
Sector 5 (in east) to Howrah Railway Station (in west). Unlike line 1,
which is operated by Indian Railways, line 2 will be operated by a new
company - Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation (KMRC). Trains will be air conditioned,
and underground stations would have platform screen doors. It will use
standard gauge, like Kolkata tram, but unlike line 1, which uses broad
gauge. Proposed stations are - Salt Lake Sector 5, Karunamayi Housing
Estate, Bikash Bhaban, Salt Lake City Center, Bengal Chemical Office,
Football Stadium, Phool Bagan, Sealdah Railway Station, Central (crossing
with line 1), Mahakaran, Howrah Railway Station and Howrah Maidan. Between
Mahakaran and Howrah Railway Station, the metro will run under the Hoogly
River. It will run elevated along the eastern section through Salt Lake
City.

Several
other lines are planned and/or even under construction, click here
for details.